Radio control device



Oct. 14, 1952 J. N. DAVIS 2,613,548

RADIO CONTROL DEVICE Filed Feb. 10, 1949 lllln IN VEN TOR. dizmaiA T1242049,

Patented Get. 14, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,613,548 RADIOCONTROL DEVICE James N. Davis, Crystal Lake, Ill. Application February10, 1949, Serial No. 75,546

' Claims. l i Thislinvention relates to a control apparatus for radio,television, orother similar'electronic equipment. More specifically, itrelates to a unitary control member for operating a plurality of controldevices such as the on-oif switch, amplification control, tone controland tuning apparatus for equipment of this type.

The desirability of consolidating the controls on electronic devices oftheclass describedhas been particularly emphasized in recent times bytheadvent of television as an entertainmentmedium within reach of thegeneral public. The complexity of the controls on the conventionaltelevision 'set is an undesirable feature thereof. Applicant is aware ofthe fact that others have developed so-called single'knob controlsfor-operating more than one control device, but these past constructionshave been comparatively complicated in both construction andoperatiomand have apparently notmet with a very extensive publicacceptance or use. i

It is believed thata control member incorporating the invention which isthe subject of this present application overcomes the disad vantagesinherent in these previous devices due to their complexity. In a homeradio, the .unitary multiple control (which is the terminology whichwill be used herein to identify applicants device) has very desirablesimplicity in that it reduces the number of control knobs necessary toperform numerous radio adjustments from the usual 3 or 4 to a singlecontrol knob. ,,Moving the unitary multiple control memberwhich embodiesthe present invention horizontally from the ofif position, which may bemade the extreme left position, to substantially the center of the pathof possible movement of the control member is an elementary andapparently natural movement, and the apparatus with which the controlmember is associated, such as .a radio, may be designed so that such amovement as described turns the equipment on and also increases thevolume to a normal level. Rota- .tion of the unitary multiple controlmember to select the program desired and moving the control membervertically to adjust for tone is an equally elementary adjustment.Movement from one control member to another and back again, possibly anumber of times, in order to attain the various adjustments desired inselecting a particular program is entirely eliminated. Such a reductionin the amount of movementmay be .even more significant in otherapplications than in connection with'a home radio. For example it wouldbe particularly useful in connection devices;

with an auto. radio or any similar electronic equipment which isdesigned to be operated by an individual whose primary attention isdirected toward other activities.

- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simplifiedsystem of control for elecvide a mechanism of relatively simpleconstruction which will permit the use of a unitary multiple controlmember to vary the adjustment of a plurality of control devices, suchcontrol member being adapted for both pivotal and rotary movement.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of thecharacter described which can utilize either a direct drive to theaforementioned control devices or which may include a geared drive whichis associated with at leasta part of such devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of thecharacter described of a sturdy and simple design'which may be easilymaintained in operating condition since it is well adapted to withstandthe rigors of hardusage and does not easily get out of adjustment oralignment. n

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become evident asthe description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanyingdrawing which illustrates one embodiment of the invention and in whichsimilar nur merals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of a unitary multiple controlmember embodying this invention, the device being shown in operativeassociation with a plurality of control Figure 2 is a view in sideelevation partly in .vertical cross section of the unitary multiple:c'ontrol member shown in Figure 1, the member being shown in operativeassociation withthe front'panelof an electronic device in which thecontrol member is incorporated;

the mounting bracket 12 mounted at one end thereon by a suitablefastening means such as the bolt I4. The bracket I2 is provided with anupper arm [6 extending at right angles thereto and having the U-shapedmounting block [8 rotatably mounted thereon. The shaft 28 is secured tothe base of the mounting block [8, and extends downwardly therefromthrough the arm l6 of the bracket I2. The shaft 28 is also cooperativelyassociated with the potentiometer 22 which may be mounted on the panel[8 by the nut 24 which is, in turn, adapted to be threaded on thebushing '26. Rotation of the mounting block l8 in a horizontal plane"will adjustment of various control devices associated therewith. 1

If, for example, as mentioned above the potentiometer 22 is utilized tocontrol the volume of a radio and has operably associated therewith anon-off switch (not shown) in the conventional fashion, the off positionof the radio may be made the position of the knob 52 that is farthesttothe left on the horizontal axis of the opening 58. In order to turn onthe radio, the knob 52 is moved from this extreme left position towardthe center of the opening 58, and the potentiometer 22 may be sodesigned and adjusted as to give a normal volume setting for most localreception at a position which is attained by: moving the knob 52 toapproximately the mid position of the therefore'cause a rotation ofthe'shaft which,

in turn, may be cooperatively associated with the potentiometer 22 sothat the rotary movement of the shaft eifects a change in the settingof-the' potentiometer; r

A s'econd bracket '28 may be mounted on one side of the mounting blockl8 so as to extend outwardly therefrom. This bracket may also have anarm 38 extending-at right angles tothe body "of the bracket upon which asecond potentiometer 32"- may be mounted with the aid of the nut 34,

which is adapted to be threaded on the collar 36. The shaft 38 maybejournaled in the upper ends of the two arms 48 and 42 of the mountingblock l8=in such a wayas to be also cooperatively-associated with thepotentiometer 32 in a manner similarto the association of shaft 20 andthe potentiometer. 22 as described above. The portionof the 'shaft38which is'disposed between the-two arms 48 and 42 of the'mounting blockl8 may have secured thereto one end of a control arm 44, which arm istherefore free to pivot in a vertical plane. rof the arm 44 may havesecured thereto a collar 46 having a flexible shaft 48 journaledtherein.

The opposite extremity It is preferablethat this end of the arm 44 havea configuration which permits the collar 46 to be -mounted on an axiswhich is substantially the same as the longitudinal axis of the arm 44.

Thefiexible shaft 48 may be contained in a flex- :ible sheath 50 whichis secured at one end to the 'collar 46. to the'end of the shaft 48which projects from The control knob 52 may be secured the collar 46, asbest shown in Figure 1. The

.opposite end of the shaft 48 may be operatively associated withtheshaft of a control device such 8 as the variable condenser 54 shown inFigure 1.

Rotation of the knob 52 about an axis coincident .with the shaft 48 inthe arrangement shown'in tronic equipment in which the control mechanismis mounted, as best shown in Figure 2.".It is obviousthat if the radiusof the sphere of which the :collar 56 is a section is properly chosen,pivotal movement of the arm 44 in a vertical or horizontal plane willcause the collar 56 to move in such a way within the opening 58 in thepanel v66 that said opening is at all times fully closed thereby. Theknob '52 may also therefore be moved to any position within thecircularconfines of the opening 58, as desired, to control the opening 58.At'the same time the potentiometer 32 may be utilized to control thetone of the radio, and the adjustment of the tone will therefore becontrolled by moving the knob 52 either up or down in avertical, plane.The selection of the station desired Jcan be-madev at any position ofadjustment of the arm 44 and the knob 52 by.

rotating the latter which in turn will rotateithe rotor 62 of thevariable condenser 54. I v

. An embodiment of this invention which'ls adapted to permit fineradjustments thanthose which may be obtained by employing the form ofdevice just described is shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment'thebracket 64may be mounted on the-chassis in a manner similar to themounting of bracket I2 in the formof device just described. Thepotentiometer 66 may be mounted onv the upper arm;68 of. the bracket64and mas have a gear 18 'secured'to the shaft|2 thereof. A mounting block14' having a substantially U-shaped central portion similar to themounting block l8 described above, may also be mounted on the arm 68 ofthe bracket 64 so. as to rotate in a plane parallel to the arm 68.

Formed integrally with the mounting block 14 andextending therefromisthe rack 16 adapted A shaft =86 may be journaled in and extend betweenthe two arms 88 and 88 of the mounting block 14, which arms aresubstantially normal to the arm 68 of the'bracket 64 and the rack 16.

The control arm 88 may be similar inform to the control arm 44previously described inconnection with the first embodiment of thisinven tionand may besecured to the shaft 8 6 so that isfr'ee to pivot ina plane substantially vertical to-the 'arm 68 of thebracke't 64.The-arcuate rack 92may be formed integrally with the arm 88 at asubstantially central point on the arm and be" so disposed as to extendlaterally therefrom so that it is adapted to mesh with the gear 82. Thisarrangement provides for the rotation of thegear 82 bythe arcuate rack92 whenever the arm 88 is pivoted in'a Vertic'aI plane. Atthe same timethe mounting bracket 14 and the vari ous components associated therewithare all free torotate in a horizontal plane, whichrotation of themounting block 14, inturn, causes the rack 16 to pivot, thus causing therotation of thegear and the shaft'12 of the potentiometer 66 ass'o;

ciated therewith.

It may thus beseen that here again vertical movement of the arm 88providesan adjustment of' the potentiometer =80, while horizontal.movement of that arm provides anadjustment of the potentiometerlifi.The outer extremity of the arm 88 may be formed in the same fashion asthat end ofthe corresponding arm 44 so that the knob 52; the flexibleshaft 48, the collar 46 and the shaft 50 may be carried thereby insubstantially the same fashion. Obviously the equipment with which thislatter embodiment may beassociated can be designed so that movethe sameresults as described above for the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The unitary multiple control member described above is particularlyadapted for use in an auto radio, since the driver of the auto will thennot find it necessary to move his hand from the station selectingcontrol, to the volume control and thence to the tone control, ifnecessary. For example, when a weak station is being selected, it isonly necessary for the driver to move the control knob to the right toincrease the volume and either up or down for proper tonal adjustment.In conventional car radios, it is now necessary to release the stationselector, increase the volume and then return to the station selector.

A. further possible use of the unitary multiple control device is inaircraft. The advantages would be substantially the same as those justdescribed above in regard to an auto radio and the simplicity of controland speed of tuning would undoubtedly be of even greater advantage.

It is also now well known that conventional television sets have anunusually large number of control knobs associated therewith and it isbelieved that the present invention is well adapted for use in thisfield. Several of the properly related adjustment elements in atelevision set i could be adapted to be operated by one unitary multiplecontrol knob. For example, the focus, intensity, contrast and off-oncontrols for the screen of a conventional television set have such arelationship. Likewise the volume, tone, channel, selection and audiooil-on controls for the remaining portion of theset could be similarlyadapted to a second unitary multiple control member. It may thus bereadily seen that there are numerous possible applications for a controlmember of this general character, if the device is simple enough indesign and construction to be capable of practical use.

The drawing and the above discussion are not intended to represent theonly possible form of this invention, in regard to details ofconstruction. Changes in form and in the proportion of parts, as well asthe substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances maysuggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scopeof this invention as further defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A control apparatus for a radio receiver or the like, having aplurality of control devices,

comprising a fixed support member, a base mem ,ments of the knob '52will produce substantially ber rotatably mountedthereon, a shaftjournalled in said base membersoas to be rotatable in a planesubstantially parallel to the plane of rotation of said base member, acontrol arm for rotatin'g, said shaft, said control arm being movable ina plane substantially normal to the plane of rotation of said rotatablebase member, a control shaft secured to the pivoted end of said controlarm so as to be rotated by pivotal movement of the latter, an electroniccontrol device fixed to said rotatable base member operatively,connected to said control shaft, a secondcontrol shaft secured tosaidrotatable base member and adapted to be rotated by movement thereof,a second electronic control device mounted in fixed relation. to saidsupport member, said secondcontrolshaft being ,operativelyconnectedthereto, a control member rotatably mounted on the free end of saidcontrol arm, and a fiexible shaft secured thereto adapted to transmitrotary motion of said control member to a third electronic controldevice.

2. A control apparatus for a radio receiver or thelike, having aplurality of control devices, comprising a fixed support membena basemember rotatably mounted thereon, a control arm pivotally mounted insaid rotatable base member for movement in a plane substantially normalto'the plane of rotation of said rotatable base member,

a control device mounted on said rotatable base member, a rotatablecontrol shaft on said control device, a gear member mounted on saidcontrol shaft, an arcuate rack member carried by said control armadapted to cooperate with said gear member, a second control devicemounted in fixed relation to said support member, a second rotatablecontrol shaft on said second control device, a second gear membermounted on said second control shaft, and a second rack member on said:rotatable base member adapted to cooper-ate with said second gearmember.

3. A control apparatus for a radio receiver or the like, having aplurality of control devices, comprising a fixed support member, a basemember rotatably mounted thereon, a control arm pivotally mounted insaid rotatable base member for movement in a plane substantially normalto the plane of rotation of said rotatable base member, a control devicemounted on said rotatable base member, a rotatable control shaft on saidcontrol device, a gear member mounted on said control shaft, an arcuaterack member carried by said control arm adapted to cooperate with saidgear member, a second control device mounted. in fixed relation to saidsupport member, a second rotatable control shaft on said second controldevice, a second gear member mounted on said second control shaft, asecond rack member on said rotatable base member adapted to cooperatewith said second gear member, a control member rotatably mounted on thefree end of said control arm, and a fiexible shaft secured theretoadapted to transmit rotary. motion of said control memher to a thirdcontrol device.

4. A control apparatus for a radio receiver or the like, having aplurality of control devices, comprising a fixed support member, a basemember rotatably mounted thereon, a control arm pivo tally mounted insaid rotatable base memher for movement in a plane substantially normalto the plane of rotation of said rotatable base member, a control devicefixed to said rotatable base member, a rotatable control shaft on saidcontrol device, a gear member mounted on said control shaft, an arcuaterack member carried by said control arm adapted to cooperate with saidgear member, a second control shaft secured to said rotatable basemember and adapted to be rotated by movement thereof, and a secondelectronic device mounted in fixed relation to said support member, saidsecond control shaft being operatively connected thereto.

5. A control apparatus for a radio receiver or the like, having aplurality of electronic control devices, comprising a fixed supportmember, a

base member rotambiy of rotation of said base member, a control "arm forrotating -saidshaft saidcontrol arm being movable in a planesubstantially normal-to the .plan'e'of rotationof said rotatable basemember,

aQcontrol shaft securedto the pivoted end of said control arm so as tobe rotated by pivotal move.-

:ment of the -latter, an. electronic control device fixed to;saidzrotatable base member and opera- ,tivel'y connected to said controlshaft, a second electronic control. device mounted in fixed rela- ,ti0n'to said support member, a second rotatable control shaft on said; secondelectronic control device, a gear member. mounted on said, control,shaft and a rack on said rotatable base member adapted to cooperatewith saidgear member.

: JAMES wD V S-n mounted thereon, i a 'js haft I j ournalled in saidbase member so as to be rotatable in a plane-substantially parallel-tothe plane Number Name Date 539,863 "'MacHafile' May'28, 1895 2,004,918=Mitche1l ;June 11, 1935 2,02 ,220 Denkere Dec. 3'1, 1935 2,082,410McCauley June 1,1937 2,122,306 V012 June 28, 1938 2,149,754; Whiteford HMar. 7,1939 2,396,309 W0da1...- Mar. '12, 1946 r 2,480,521 Thompson Aug.30,1949

1 FE S The following references are [of record in, the

